weakened , but they had recovered from their surprise and were ready for his attack . the japanese ships were spotted by the protected cruiser boy ##ari ##n , which was patrolling offshore and alerted the russian defences . togo chose to attack the russian coastal defences with his main armament and engage the ships with his secondary guns . splitting his fire proved to be a poor decision as the japanese eight @ - @ inch ( 203 mm ) and six @ - @ inch guns inflicted little damage on the russian ships , which concentrated all their fire on the japanese ships with some effect . although many ships on both sides were hit , russian casualties numbered only 17 , while the japanese suffered
weakened, but they had recovered from their surprise and were ready for his attack. the japanese ships were spotted by the protected cruiser boyarin, which was patrolling offshore and alerted the russian defences. togo chose to attack the russian coastal defences with his main armament and engage the ships with his secondary guns. splitting his fire proved to be a poor decision as the japanese eight @ - @ inch ( 203 mm ) and six @ - @ inch guns inflicted little damage on the russian ships, which concentrated all their fire on the japanese ships with some effect. although many ships on both sides were hit, russian casualties numbered only 17, while the japanese suffered